The Various Techniques of Vasectomy
What's in a name? There's more than one vasectomy technique. Are there any advantages to "less invasive" techniques?
About half a million American men each year choose vasectomy
for permanent birth control. Vasectomy is considered nearly 100 percent effective,
safe, and does not interfere with sexual pleasure.
Urologists and family practioners perform vasectomy procedures. Your doctor will use one of many techniques that he knows from experience will be effective and appropriate to use for his patients. One technique that has grown in popularity with doctors and patients is known as the No-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV). Both the traditional method and the no-scalpel technique are safe and effective in experienced hands.
Anesthetic First
Regardless of the surgical technique to follow, a local anesthetic is used in all cases - most commonly this is delivered by a needle injection. Some doctors now use a new, "no needle" device to apply the anesthesia and numb the surgical area with a jet injection. This method may reduce the patient's anxiety about the procedure in general and the use of a needle in particular.
The elevated pressure, "jet injection" spray for a vasectomy is similar to well-established techniques that have been used in dentistry to deliver local anesthesia and avoid 'needle phobia' for many patients. Most patients described the no-needle injection as "painless" or nearly 'painless.'
Because No Needle jet anesthetic is relatively new to vasectomy procedures, few doctors use this technique. Those patients who are particularly anxious about the procedure or truly uncomfortable with needles, may wish to ask their doctor or visit www.NoNeedleVasectomy.com for more information.
Conventional or traditional vasectomy.
The traditional vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure that is performed in the doctor's office, under local anesthetic, and is usually completed within 30 minutes. The surgeon uses a scalpel to make one or two incisions in the skin of the scrotum-one incision to access and expose the tiny vas deferens tubes from each testicle. The vas deferens is lifted, cut and tied, and often cauterized. The cut tubes are then returned to the scrotal sac and the incisions are then closed with three or four sutures (stitches).
The birth of No Scalpel birth control.
In the early 1970s a new procedure known as "No Scalpel Vasectomy" was developed in China by Dr. Li Shunqiang. This minimum-invasive procedure may appeal to some men who are otherwise uncomfortable with the idea of having their genitals 'cut'. In NSV, as with the traditional vasectomy, the skin of the scrotum is opened for the procedure. During the past few decades, over 15 million no-scalpel vasectomies have been performed with this technique now used around the world.
Urologists and family practioners who perform conventional vasectomies have generally taken additional training to perform the no-scalpel procedure. If this method appeals to you, you may want to identify a physician who possesses this advanced training, expertise and experience for the No Scalpel method.
How the No Scalpel vasectomy is performed.
As the name suggests, the "No Scalpel" method does not involve a scalpel, but a small opening is still necessary. Key to the No Scalpel Vasectomy are the special instruments that allow the procedure to be done with generally less manipulation of the patient's tissues. In a NSV procedure, the doctor usually locates the patient's vas deferens under the skin of the scrotum by hand, and holds the tiny tube in place with a small clamp. Small pointed forceps separate the layers of tissue and then creates a tiny puncture in the skin to form an opening for the vas deferens to be gently lifted out, then cut, tied, clipped and/or cauterized and put back into place.
The surgeon may elect to close the opening in the skin with sutures. However, because the skin puncture is much smaller than a conventional incision, it can close quite quickly without the necessity of suturing.
Like a conventional vasectomy, local anesthetic is administered to allow the patient to be comfortable.
No Scalpel Benefits.
Physicians who perform the No Scalpel method of vasectomy believe that their procedure produces less complications and discomfort with a faster recovery time. Other physicians who continue to use the standard technique may not believe that there is a significant advantage.
Clip vasectomy.
There are various clips that can be used by physicians in performing vasectomies. The use of clips can shorten the procedure time slightly and will leave permanent staple-like devices, smaller than an eraser head, within the scrotum. The clips vary in price from a few dollars for titanium clips to as much as $400 additional cost for plastic VasClips ®. We are not aware of any controlled, comparative studies that demonstrate a clinically significant advantage with the use of clips in decreasing the risks of pain or bleeding.
Laser vasectomy
Patients have demonstrated an interest in having a vasectomy performed with a laser. Whether a laser is used or not, an opening still must be made in the scrotal skin and the vas deferens must be brought to the surface. The vas is a muscular tube without any large blood vessels. When the time comes to cut the vas, a knife or coagulation is usually used without significant bleeding and without the need for a laser. There is no significant advantage to using a laser to perform a vasectomy.
In Summary:
- An experienced surgeon may use one of several vasectomy techniques.
- Traditional and No-Scalpel Vasectomy techniques are equally effective.
- NSV may appeal to some men, but a local anesthetic is used in all cases.
- A new, No Needle anesthetic technique has been introduced to reduce anxiety and pain.
- There is no significant advantage to using a laser for vasectomies.
- Patients should discuss the procedure in detail with their surgeon.
More Information:
www.NoNeedleVasectomy.com
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